Being an effective pilot of a world-leading fast jet like the Eurofighter Typhoon goes beyond just aircraft handling and withstanding G-forces; it's about the speed of decision-making in critical moments.
That's why the Large Area Display being developed by the expert team at BAE Systems for the Typhoon is so important. Able to display vast quantities of information in high quality means the pilot has a better chance of making swift effective decisions. Ultimately, the new display will enhance the performance of the fighter pilot.
These developments are part of a company-funded investment in the jet's Human Machine Interface (HMI) aimed at rapidly developing and proving new capabilities which can ensure Typhoon operators remain ahead of the curve.
The 'large' display we are working on for the Typhoon cockpit is approximately 12 x 22 inches, similar in size to a desktop monitor. By replacing the existing three 6x6 inch multifunction head-down displays (MHDDs) and head-up display with this one large central display, we open up a world of tactical mission information at the pilot's fingertips.
The current MHDDs limit the pilot's view to just one task at a time. This makes it challenging to maintain situational awareness, especially when dealing with friendlies and adversaries at different distances. With the Large Area Display, we remove these limitations and enable pilots to carry out and monitor multiple tasks simultaneously, ensuring they are well-informed and can prioritise effectively.
Having worked with prototypes in our development rigs and simulators, I can clearly see how the impressive graphical fidelity will improve the pilot’s situational awareness. The ability to instantly relate the display information to the outside world will enhance decision-making capabilities significantly.
One particularly crucial aspect of the Large Area Display is its benefits for the future ECRS2 radar-equipped Typhoon. The radar's wide-band capabilities enable it to extend functionalities to greater ranges, complementing the large tactical display and providing a comprehensive picture of the situation.
Adding to the equation, the Striker II helmet has been intelligently designed to take much of the information displayed in 2D on the LAD and overlay it on the 3D outside world. With night vision and existing tactical symbology. The helmet display significantly improves situational awareness and effectively extends the pilot's visual range. In short, it will make it easier for a pilot to spot targets. In critical situations, this will give a pilot valuable extra seconds to think and react.
As we look forward, I am excited about the potential this integrated system holds for future fighter pilots. I have no doubt this technology will enable them to outperform potential adversaries because it will give them an edge, and a few extra seconds for every decision.
Cumulatively this will be game changing.
